What to Know

The first debate is on Sept. 20, hosted by NBC 5 and Telemundo Chicago with the Union League of Chicago and the Chicago Urban League

Pritzker included an event in Quincy, the central Illinois city where Legionnaires' disease killed 13 residents of a state-run veterans home

Rauner has not officially agreed to participate in the three debates, but a spokesman said he "looks forward to participating"

Gov. Bruce Rauner has confirmed he will take part in NBC 5's political forum in September.

The incumbent GOP governor solidified his plans Monday, announcing he will join in the forum ahead of the general election in November. Democratic candidate J.B. Pritzker confirmed his participation in May.

Rauner and Pritzker will be among those scheduled for the first forum in Chicago on Sept. 20, hosted by NBC 5 and Telemundo Chicago, in partnership with the Union League of Chicago and the Chicago Urban League.

Both candidates have already spent millions of dollars to attack one another - hitting the airwaves with negative ads even before winning their respective primaries.

In the Republican primary, Rauner participated in one face-to-face appearance with his conservative challenger, state Rep. Jeanne Ives.

It remains unclear which, if any, other events Rauner plans to take part in before November.